Veteran television host Mario Luis Kreutzberger Blumenfeld, universally known as Don Francisco, returns to Univision with a new interview program titled Gigantes con Don Francisco. The limited-run series premieres on Sunday, October 11, airing weekly at 7 p.m. Eastern and 6 p.m. Central on Univision. Full episodes stream on ViX the following day.
This program marks a historic homecoming for the 85-year-old Chilean television icon. It comes 11 years after his legendary variety show, Sábado Gigante, ended its run on September 19, 2015. Filmed in the exact same Miami studio where Sábado Gigante was recorded for decades, the new production combines intimate celebrity conversations with the warmth, humor, and audience engagement that defined Don Francisco’s career across more than six decades.
Format and Special Features of Gigantes con Don Francisco
Unlike the sprawling three-hour format of his previous variety show, Gigantes con Don Francisco focuses primarily on close conversations with major personalities from across the Hispanic world. Each episode centers on an influential Latin artist, exploring their life, career milestones, and cultural impact.
The production features several core elements designed to honor the host’s television legacy while updating it for contemporary audiences:
- Live Musical Accompaniment: Each episode includes performances backed by a live musical band.
- Emotional Reunions: Guests are surprised with archival footage and heartfelt reunions featuring family members, childhood friends, and longtime colleagues.
- Audience Participation and Prizes: Bringing back a beloved staple of the Don Francisco experience, studio audience members and viewers can participate in games to win cash prizes-including $10,000 per episode-and an automobile.
Nitzia Chama co-hosts the program. She is an actress, journalist, and personality from Univision’s morning program Despierta América, hailing from Veracruz, Mexico.
Confirmed Celebrity Guest Lineup
TelevisaUnivision and network promotions confirmed a high-profile initial lineup of guests set to appear on the Sunday specials. Confirmed names include:
- Lucero: The iconic Mexican singer and actress.
- Luis Fonsi: The internationally renowned pop singer and songwriter.
- Guillermo “Memo” Ochoa: The prominent Mexican professional soccer goalkeeper.
The production team intends to spotlight individuals with extensive careers alongside rapid modern success stories, bridging generations of Latin pop culture.
A Historic Career Legacy
Don Francisco’s return to Univision closes a significant professional circle. Sábado Gigante began in Chile in 1962 before expanding to Miami in 1986, eventually reaching audiences in more than 40 countries. The iconic program earned a Guinness World Records title as the longest-running variety television program hosted by the same presenter, running for 53 years before its final broadcast in 2015.
Following the conclusion of Sábado Gigante, Kreutzberger signed a multiyear deal with Telemundo. There, he hosted the talk and variety show Don Francisco Te Invita from 2016 until its cancellation in 2018.
In a statement regarding his return to Univision, Don Francisco expressed gratitude and enthusiasm for the new project:
Returning to Univision brings emotion and nostalgia, but above all, it is an opportunity to reconnect with the audience that accompanied us for so many years and with many of the great artists who were part of our history. It will be a reunion between what we experienced together and who we are today. I am very happy to reconnect with you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Don Francisco’s Return
When does Gigantes con Don Francisco premiere?
The new show premieres on Sunday, October 11, at 7 p.m. Eastern / 6 p.m. Central on Univision.
Where can I watch Gigantes con Don Francisco online?
Full episodes are available to stream on ViX the day after their television broadcast. Highlights and clips are also rolled out across Univision’s digital and social media platforms.
Who is co-hosting the show with Don Francisco?
Nitzia Chama, a journalist, actress, and personality from Univision’s Despierta América, serves as the co-host.
Where is the new show filmed?
The program is recorded in the exact same Miami studio where Don Francisco filmed Sábado Gigante for many years.
What kind of prizes can audience members win?
Contestants and audience members have the chance to win cash prizes-including $10,000 per episode-as well as an automobile.
